Karsceal Turner – I GOT NEXT!
South Carolina State, after a slow start, exploded for 28-second half points for a 35-7 win over the University of Arkansas Pine Bluff in the 11th annual MEAC/SWAC Challenge at The Orlando Citrus Bowl Sunday in a contest that was delayed almost two hours due to weather conditions.
It was the first appearance at the event for the Golden Lions of University of Arkansas-Pine Bluff, UAPB went 4-7 overall and 3-6 in the SWAC a season ago.
This was the third appearance for South Carolina State, which previously played in the event in 2005 and 2009. The Bulldogs went 8-4 overall and 6-2 in the MEAC in 2014. It was the first appearance for UAPB.
Event staff and game promoters: Fans need you to do better
There’s the short story of what went down. Now allow me to describe what THESE eyes saw. These eyes saw a game delayed twice because of lightening in the area. In the third delay, the announcer at the Citrus Bowl politely asked the games patrons to converge in the covered areas underneath the stands at the newly renovated sports venue as thunderstorms were imminent.
From what I was looking at, barely 5,000 people attended the game. I’d have to say I felt the stark contrast of folks garbed in Garnet and Blue as opposed to the people wearing Black and Gold. Although SCSU dominated in terms of support, band performance, and football performance, overall attendance was piss-poor. What do you want from me? This is what I saw. And now begins the rant.
First, the event staff were horrible. No direction, unstaffed stations, unknowledgeable personnel. Dude, they barely knew where the Press Box was located. I made my way to the area meant for working media (where the food is). I thought to myself as I scoffed down that Chicken breast and chips, ‘they could have done us better than this’. By the way, they didn’t provide drinks. Dude come on.
Anyway, as resourceful as I am, I made my way into the VIP section for University of Arkansas Pine-Bluff. Naturally, I enjoyed some pulled pork, mac and cheese, and a Dasani. Yep, I became a one-time UAPB fan right there. They did me right.
Can we get the scheduling right?
Second, they game was delayed at least thrice due to lightening in the area. We Floridians know how that goes in the afternoons every summer leading into autumn. Perhaps a 3:30 starting time coinciding with regular thunderstorms could have been avoided….No? This reporter has personally attended games beginning at 11:30 am and 12 noon, well before the rain comes.
Piss-poor attendance
Third, did I already mention that attendance was piss-poor? Folks, the support just wasn’t there for this Florida based venue. , Even the allure of area attractions such as Disneyland and theme parks, wasn’t enough to fill seats at the Citrus Bowl. As I surveyed the stands, I saw both schools on the same side in the lower tier. Barely filled on the UAPB with better representation on the SCSU side. I’ve seen high school games with larger crowds. No crowds means no vendors. I actually saw one and he was packing it in for the day due to rain. From what I witnessed, the MEAC/SWAC Challenge needs to always involve at least one of the two largest Florida HBCUs. At least we know those schools will garner attention and have a more solid following.
Here are some attendance facts for you to compare volume when Florida teams play. 2007, Florida A&M 27–33 Southern attendance 30,106; 2011, Bethune-Cookman 63–14 Prairie View A&M, attendance 17,337; 2012, Bethune-Cookman 38–28 Alabama State attendance, 17,410.
SCSU also brought in record numbers in the past but the Florida teams by far bring the fans and bolster the numbers. Vendors have to love that, ESPN has to love that, Orlando attractions have to love that and the fans clearly would love it.
That’s just my two cents. See? The rant wasn’t so bad. I relished the opportunity to take in some HBCU culture outside of what I’m familiar with. I especially dug Arkansas – Pine Bluff’s “Marching Musical Machine of the Mid-South” and South Carolina State’s “Marching 101”.
UAPB is located in Pine Bluff, about an hour drive south of Little Rock, Arkansas. SCSU is located two states away from Florida, literally up the street seven hours to Orangesburg. I’ve been there, done that, and kicked it.
A Quick UAPB overview
The University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff is an 1890 Land-Grant HBCU, which underwent some name changes before arriving at its present name. Ultimately, the school was established because the University of Arkansas, (the state’s flagship school) is located in the northwest corner of the state. This happened to be the furthest district from the State’s Negro population.
In 1875, Joseph Carter Corbin, Black man who served as State Superintendent of instruction was hired to find a suitable location for a Branch Normal College especially for the convenience of well-being of poorer classes. He chose Pine Bluff. Since Corbin’s tenure, 15 individuals have served at the helm of the institution during its 132 history. Today the university is guided by Dr. Laurence B. Alexander with an enrollment of 3,332 under graduate and postgraduates. Some notable UAPB alum includes: Smokie Norful, Terron Armstead of the New Orleans Saints, and L.C. Greenwood formerly of the Pittsburgh Steelers.
The UAPB Band, known as the “Marching Musical Machine of the Mid-South or (M4)” has a storied history itself having participated in the Presidential Inauguration Parade in 2009. The marching band has 200-plus members and a dance auxiliary line called the “Golden Girls”. I’m not touching that name, (all I know is 14K), but here’s what I observed. They brought a legion of Black and Gold clad cheerleaders, dancers, flag bearers, and even a couple majorettes. The camera found all of them too! I thoroughly enjoyed the battle in the stands between UAPB and SCSU. UAPB’s horns were on point but SCSU’s was blaring and louder. I actually hung out closer to UAPB so that tells you something. All in all, I enjoyed their offering and was not disappointed in the halftime show from both bands. The winner? SCSU’s Marching 101 had the edge. Still, they don’t want it with the Marching Pride. We’ll rap about that on October 8.
A quick SCSU overview
I’m a little more acquainted with South Carolina State University, I’ve actually walked that campus. Their football program has been alive longer than UAPB has been in existence as a school, and they regularly give my Wildcats all they can handle. Again, October 8.
The school’s football team has won more conference championships than any other school in the MEAC, with wins in 1974, 1975 (shared title with North Carolina A&T), 1976 (shared title with Morgan State University), 1977, 1978, 1980, 1981, 1982 (shared title with Florida A&M), 1983, 1994, 2004, when it shared the title with Hampton University, 2008, 2009, and 2010 (shared title with Bethune-Cookman and Florida A&M), 2013 (shared title with Bethune-Cookman), and 2014 (shared tile with North Carolina Central University, North Carolina A&T, Morgan State, and Bethune-Cookman). The team also has four Black College Football National Championship titles, with the most recent title won in 2009.
SCSU calls its band “The Marching 101” and are regular performers at football games throughout the southeast, and nationally televised professional football games. The band was organized in 1918 as a “regimental band” performing military drills as well as assisting with music in the college Sunday school and other occasions. From 1924 on, a succession of band directors influenced the growth of the band as it became part of the Department of Music program. In 2011 and 2012, the Marching 101 was voted to perform at the annual Honda Battle of the Bands held in the Georgia Dome in Atlanta, GA. SCSU recently fired long-time band director Eddie B. Ellis. One could still feel his influence as they took to the field and battled in the stands. Well done SCSU.
There you have it, I tried to throw some educational insight in there in addition to revealing the fact that this venue could be better served if Florida teams alternated in appearances. I’ll check you out after B-Cu takes on those Lane Dragons cause I got NEXT!
